Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) home M Chinnaswamy is unlikely to host the Indian Premier League final and play-off games as the Board of Control for Cricket mulls over the uncertainty surrounding the venue. BCCI is expected to announce the venues for the fast approaching play-offs and final soon.
As per an ANI report, BCCI is unlikely to split the matches between the home ground of last season’s finalist over complications surrounding M Chinnaswamy. This means that this could prevent Bengaluru to host the much-anticipated finals, which their side RCB is in contention for.
The convention for the IPL final is for the defending champions to host the match. However, political issues in Bengaluru, particularly related to MLA tickets, are currently causing disruptions. This also comes following the city’s ineffectiveness in handling the victory parade last season, which resulted in multiple deaths.
“IPL 2026 playoffs and final venue will be announced soon. Matches likely to be divided into Punjab and Karnataka, the last time winner should host the final, but MLA ticket issue is creating problems in Bengaluru, and if there is no solution, then BCCI will move the final to another city,” the report quoted the source as saying.
Last year, the final was shifted from Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on account of potential weather disruptions and other logistical concerns following the India-Pakistan border tensions threatened to convert into a full-blown war.
